FEATURE FOCUS
Hotel Floriel is a living showroom of works of art , furniture , decorative accessories , artisanal products , and more of primarily local and regional manufacturers , retailers , artists , and craftsmen . From mattresses , lamps , and luxurious bathrobes , to linens , sinks , furniture , and more , Hotel Floriel ’ s curated amenities can be purchased by guests for their own homes through privileged relationships established between the hotel ’ s owners and the artisans and manufacturers .
“ We set out to create a high-end boutique hotel with a twist ,” explains Gabriel Wasilko , co-owner of Hotel Floriel , along with Audrey Boisvert . “ It has been a creative outlet for us , and the twist begins with the uniquely curated designs of each of our seven rooms .”
Built within the gutted walls of a former Presbytery , the owners designed the spaces of Hotel Floriel . They immersed themselves in every aspect of the process , including tiling , framing , and building concrete floors . In the two years preceding the hotel ’ s opening , those all-encompassing tasks never allowed them to doubt themselves .
“ I think we were naively confident , so we just approached the project one day at a time ,” recalls Wasilko . “ Each individual task required our full attention , so we just compartmentalized everything .”
Beyond construction , the business plan developed for Hotel Floriel was very instinctual . In a post-COVID world where city dwellers have increasingly moved to the countryside , the couple saw a market for their product developing within the region ’ s growing concentration of wealth .
“ We realized that there was nothing to offer in the region in terms of upscale hotel experiences ,” says Audrey Boisvert . “ We saw that as an opportunity to introduce a product where luxury boutique services combine with the autonomy and ownership of an Airbnb experience to provide guests with the best of both worlds .”
Each room of Hotel Floriel has a unique theme based on design personality archetypes , with names including Heart in Bloom , Snowflake White , Legends and Fables , Wind in the Fields , Mist on the Lake , Hymn to Spring , and The Soul of the Forest .
Each room features a similar architectural footprint , but the colours , textures , furnishings , and textiles clearly distinguish them from one another , allowing the guests to experiment with a unique design story based on a specific colour palette and mood inspired by nature and the rhythm of the seasons .
“ For example , we work with a manufacturer of an extensive line of high-end , handmade mattresses , and we have a different model installed in each of our rooms ,” explains Boisvert . “ Choosing the right mattress can be a difficult decision , and Hotel Floriel provides guests with a unique opportunity to spend an entire night or more on a specific mattress
- 5 -